Bowling Green FFA kicked off 2022 with planning and fundraising for the chapter’s philanthropic event-Bobcat-A-Thon. Thanks to support from the BG athletic department and athletic boosters, the chapter worked the concession stand, had a 50/50 Raffle and held a bake sale during the girls and boys basketball games on Friday, January 21. The chapter raised $500 for Nationwide Children’s Hospital-Toledo through this event. All money raised through a variety of activities will go towards the final total that will be given to the hospital and presented at Bobcat-A-Thon in March.
Emma Ferguson and Addie Naus participated in the County Public Speaking Contest. Addie placed 4th in creed speaking where she memorized, presented and answered questions about the FFA Creed. Emma placed 2nd in the advanced prepared speaking where she wrote, memorized and presented a 6-8 minute speech about an agricultural topic. Emma qualified for the District 1 contest in February where she placed 3rd in her division.
In late January, FFA evaluations were held and our officers received their ratings for their books. Secretary Emma Ferguson received a gold rating and placed 2nd in the district. Reporter Emma Walker also received a gold rating and also placed 2nd in the district. Peyton Bosworth, treasurer, received a gold rating and placed 4th in the district. All three will be recognized at the State Convention at the beginning of May for being gold rated officers.
January ended with our monthly business meeting. As an incentive for fruit sale, members of the officer team volunteered to get pied in the face for certain amounts of fruit sold. An additional incentive was added in order for all 7 officers to get “pied.” Members were encouraged to bring in a total of 40 non-perishable food items to donate to Brown Bag Food Pantry. Once all incentives were met, all 7 officers were pied in the eye. Members voted on motions, enjoyed nachos for refreshments and a team scavenger hunt through the high school for recreation.
The month of February started with some new faces visiting the Ag Department! 8th grade recruitment allowed us to introduce the incoming freshmen to Agricultural Education and FFA. Members of the chapter volunteered their time to inform and present about different aspects of the chapter. Paired with this was 8th grade parent night which allowed for the parents of the 8th graders to get more information about the Bowling Green FFA.
Two fundraisers took place in February for Bobcat-A-Thon. A Rapid Fire Pizza Night which raised $250 along with the annual strawberry sale. If members were able to sell $4,500 worth of strawberries then Mrs. Conway volunteered to get pied at Bobcat-A-Thon. The members did not disappoint and the chapter sold over $5,000 worth of strawberries.
The district Ag Sales and Ag Power Diagnostics competitions were held February 25 at Redline Equipment in Portage. The Ag Sales CDEs include an online exam and customer relations practicum. The team placed 4th overall in the district and participants included Emma Walker, Kennedi Hendricks, Arika Adams, and Amanda Mantle. The Ag Power Diagnostics CDE has members troubleshoot 5 different pieces of agricultural equipment. Nathan Harris participated and placed 3rd in the district.
February ended with National FFA Week. The chapter had themed dress up days for members to participate in. Tuesday was class color day where each grade wore a color corresponding with their grade level. Wednesday was ‘What lies Ahead Wednesday” where members wore attire that related to their future career or college they planned on attending. Thursday was Flannel Day and Friday was FFA day. Members wore FFA apparel and the officers hosted Ag Olympics where members participated in agriculture related games. The Chapter also held a drive your tractor to school day. Members who participated were Nathan Harris, Natalee Harris, Tyler Bowen, Eddie Echsedor, and Alex Lorzenzen.
The Bowling Green Agricultural Education Department is a satellite program of Penta Career Center.
